Easter opening times!

It’s almost Easter and we’re in the throes of Hot Cross bun season, it comes round quicker and quicker each year!

As you may already know, we’re offering our Earl Grey flavoured HCB’s right up until Easter, available everyday in our shop.

We’re ramping up the numbers as we get closer to the long weekend, so make sure to take advantage as there’re only 7 baking days til they’re gone! #RIPHCB

We will be taking pre-orders for Good Friday and Saturday (14th & 15th April), just pop into the shop and place and pre-pay for your order.

Please note that we will be closed after Easter for some general maintenance, dates and times are as follows:

Good Friday 14th April – 12-6.30pm (pre-order collection)

Saturday 15th April – 8.15am-1pm (last day for pre-order collection)

Easter Sunday 16th April – CLOSED

Easter Monday 17th April – CLOSED

Tuesday 18th – Friday 21st April – CLOSED

Saturday 22nd April – 8.15am-1pm – open as normal

Rye not?

We started out with our Revolutionary Rye, way back when Tom first started Loaf back in 2009 and it has graced our shelves ever since!

Our recipe was based on Andrew Whitley’s Russian Rye, ours is 100% rye sourdough, topped with toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

Why is it revolutionary? (Everybody wants to know!) Mainly because back when Tom started, no one was making a rye sourdough up here in the Midlands at least! Not only that, but he figured given its Russian roots, he’d pay tribute to their revolutionary history…

If you didn’t already know, Rye is a type of grain, low in gluten, high in fibre, protein and most importantly flavour.

Over the years, we’ve played around with rye specials such as the Borodinsky and Volkornbrot, but this year we’ve decided to feature them more frequently, because rye is great, and ‘rye’ not right?

Our Borodinsky is made with a rye starter and flour, malt extract, molasses and caraway seeds for a surprisingly refreshing flavour despite its density! Find it in the shop on TUESDAYS

Our Volkornbrot, is made with a rye starter and flour, chock-full of sunflower seeds, and kibbled rye for lots of texture! Find it in the shop on THURSDAYS

Will you be trying it? Let us know! Tweet or Tag us – we’d love to see how you’re enjoying it!

XMAS XMAS XMAS!

It’s that time of year! Loosen your belt loops for a blast of tasty information about opening times, mince pies, stollen and gift vouchers below…

XMAS OPENING TIMES 2016!

Tuesday 20th – 12-6.30pm (as normal)

Wednesday 21st – 12-6.30pm (as normal)

Thursday 22nd – 12-6.30pm (as normal)

Friday 23rd – 8.15am-1pm

Saturday 24th (XMAS EVE) – 8.15am-1pm

CLOSED 25th – 3rd January 2017

Wednesday 4th Jan – 12-6.30pm – opening times resume as normal.

MINCE PIES!

As you may have seen on Twitter, we’re selling mince pies daily in our shop!

Our mince pies are made entirely in house. This year, Baker Rob made kilos upon kilos of delicious mincemeat (ours is made with locally grown apples, lemons, suet, candied peel, marmalade, currants, sultanas, dark muscovado sugar and Mud City Stout since you asked…) ready to fill hundreds of our flaky, buttery pastry cases.

STOLLEN!

We’ll also be offering our classic Stollen loaf, a rich, fruity loaf stuffed with homemade marzipan, this one is pre-order only.

MINCEMEAT MACARONS!

In collaboration with our cookery school tutor, the uber talented Lap-fai Lee; we’ll also be offering some incredible mincemeat macarons *love heart eyes emoji x100*

The macarons will also be available for pre-order but any which are not snapped up in advance will be available in the shop from 20th December.

COOKERY SCHOOL GIFT VOUCHERS!

Our vouchers make the perfect gift for Xmas you know! You can buy online or we’ve got vouchers from £10-110 available in our shop, just ask one of our shop team and they’ll be happy to help.

Please note, our gift vouchers are only valid for our cookery school, not our shop! Ts&Cs are here.

PRE-ORDERING YOUR CHRISTMAS TREATS!

You can pre-order the following:
A box of six mince pies for £8
A stollen loaf for £5
Six mincemeat macarons for £5

All orders need to be made in our shop and pre-paid as we’ll be baking to demand. You can place orders up until the 17th December. Orders will be available for collection on 23-24th December before 11am.

MARKETS!

You can find us at Stirchley Community Market on Tuesday 6th and at the QE Hospital Farmers Market on Wednesday 21st – come say hi!

 

 

BAO HOUSE Part II with Lap-Fai Lee

BAO HOUSE PART II

If you came to the last BAO House Pop Up at Loaf, waited in that incredibly long line and were rewarded with food, you’ll be excited to hear we’re doing it again.  If you came to the last BAO House Pop Up at Loaf, waited in that incredibly long line and didn’t get food because we ran out, you’ll be excited to hear we’re doing it again – with more BAO, extra sides…. but you should still get here earlier.

September 22nd is the date for your diaries.
No bookings/pre orders/reservations.
BYOB
All food is to take out, but you can sit in if you’d like – we have seating.
Cash or Card payments taken.

IMG_8443

#BaoHouseTwo

Earl Grey Hot-X-Buns!

It’s that time again… Earl Grey Hot Cross Buns!!

16778639286_bb19210bbc_o

We’ll be baking them daily from Tuesday 23rd Feb (this Tuesday coming) until Easter Saturday, so be sure to pop in!

We’ll also be closed Tuesday 29th March so our Baker’s can enjoy a day off! But don’t fret, we’ll be open Weds 30th as normal 🙂

 

Christmas!

Good Monday Morning!

Christmas feels very much upon us!

We’re open as usual on Tuesday 23rd – 12noon-6:30pm.  We’ll have some delicious roast beef & cucumber relish baguettes, or pear, stilton & walnut butter baguettes for lunch.

Then Christmas Eve, we’ll be open 8.15-12noon.  No lunches, but plenty of bread to see you through christmas time!
Next door in the cookery school, Curds and Whey will be selling their gorgeous cheeses.  (Cash only for cheese please!)

Remember if you have ordered stollen and mince pies, to come and collect on your allocated days!

And if you need a reminder of our opening hours over the next couple of weeks, click HERE.

We hope to see you this week, but if we don’t… have a lovely Christmas and New Year!

Sarah x

New Loaf Bakery Shop Opens – Sat 26 April

Stirchley Just Got Tastier!

At Loaf  this week there has been a hive of activity.  We have done a complete refit of the shop and are introducing some new editions – including weekday takeaway lunches, and a small selection of cookery equipment, specialist cookery ingredients and local produce to buy. We’ll also be selling  our usual selection of speciality bread and cakes . Thanks to a fantastic team of staff and volunteers the new & improved Loaf Bakery Shop re-opens tomorrow – Saturday 26th April 2014. Particular thanks goes to Tom, Sarah, Nancy, Andy, Jordan, Mike, Alasdair, Russ, Walter and Jane for all your hard work. You’re amazing!

Below you’ll find out what’s new, discover our new opening hours and salivate at this week’s takeaway lunch menu – changing every week. We hope you like the look of the new shop too, with much of our furniture made from reclaimed palettes and recycled materials….

New Loaf Bakery Shop Refit  New Loaf Bakery Refit

New Loaf Bakery Refit Tom Making Tea for the Workers

 

New Loaf Bakery Shop Opens – Saturday 26 April 2014

So here’s what we’ve got on offer. Pop in to discover what’s new….

New Loaf Bakery Shop. Designer: Kerry Leslie

 

New Opening Hours

Tuesday – Friday: 12 – 6.30pm

Saturday: 8.15am – 1pm

Tuesdays – Fridays: Takeaway lunches, from 12noon

 

Weekday Takeaway Lunch Menu

Tuesday 29 April  to Friday 2 May 2014, from 12 noon

Tuesday – Daal with sourdough;  Baked ham & mature cheese croissant.

Wednesday – Herb & mushroom Frittata with green salad;  Baked ham & mature cheese croissant.

Thursday – Rosso Pomodoro Soup with sourdough;  Baked ham & mature cheese croissant.

Friday – Spinach, artichoke & chilli goats cheese pizza;  Spicy ‘Nduja sausage, mozzarella  & parmesan pizza.

We will also have brewed coffee and loose leaf teas to takeaway.

Brewed cofee and loose leaf tea to takeaway

 

Pick up a Loyalty Card

We like to reward our regular customers with the Loaf Loyalty Card, to enable you to collect “˜Loaf’ stamps and redeem a free loaf of bread!

You’ll get your last loaf in a baker’s dozen on us

when you buy 12 loaves, you’ll get the 13th free!*

Ask at the till. Subject to terms and conditions – details on the card*.

Loaf Loyalty Card

We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Loaf Team

New Loaf Bakery Shop Opens – Sat 26 April

Stirchley Just Got Tastier!

At Loaf  this week there has been a hive of activity.  We have done a complete refit of the shop and are introducing some new editions – including weekday takeaway lunches, and a small selection of cookery equipment, specialist cookery ingredients and local produce to buy. We’ll also be selling  our usual selection of speciality bread and cakes . Thanks to a fantastic team of staff and volunteers the new & improved Loaf Bakery Shop re-opens tomorrow – Saturday 26th April 2014. Particular thanks goes to Tom, Sarah, Nancy, Andy, Jordan, Mike, Alasdair, Russ, Walter and Jane for all your hard work. You’re amazing!

Below you’ll find out what’s new, discover our new opening hours and salivate at this week’s takeaway lunch menu – changing every week. We hope you like the look of the new shop too, with much of our furniture made from reclaimed palettes and recycled materials….

New Loaf Bakery Shop Refit  New Loaf Bakery Refit

New Loaf Bakery Refit Tom Making Tea for the Workers

 

New Loaf Bakery Shop Opens – Saturday 26 April 2014

So here’s what we’ve got on offer. Pop in to discover what’s new….

New Loaf Bakery Shop. Designer: Kerry Leslie

 

New Opening Hours

Tuesday – Friday: 12 – 6.30pm

Saturday: 8.15am – 1pm

Tuesdays – Fridays: Takeaway lunches, from 12noon

 

Weekday Takeaway Lunch Menu

Tuesday 29 April  to Friday 2 May 2014, from 12 noon

Tuesday – Daal with sourdough;  Baked ham & mature cheese croissant.

Wednesday – Herb & mushroom Frittata with green salad;  Baked ham & mature cheese croissant.

Thursday – Rosso Pomodoro Soup with sourdough;  Baked ham & mature cheese croissant.

Friday – Spinach, artichoke & chilli goats cheese pizza;  Spicy ‘Nduja sausage, mozzarella  & parmesan pizza.

We will also have brewed coffee and loose leaf teas to takeaway.

Brewed cofee and loose leaf tea to takeaway

 

Pick up a Loyalty Card

We like to reward our regular customers with the Loaf Loyalty Card, to enable you to collect ‘Loaf’ stamps and redeem a free loaf of bread!

You’ll get your last loaf in a baker’s dozen on us

when you buy 12 loaves, you’ll get the 13th free!*

Ask at the till. Subject to terms and conditions – details on the card*.

Loaf Loyalty Card

We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Loaf Team

Who’s Hungry?

From Saturday 26th, Loaf isn’t just a bakery and a cookery school – it’s also a shop.  As you’ve probably gathered, Stirchley Stores are leaving and Loaf is taking over the space.

wpid-IMG_20131115_141845.jpg

This means you’ll see some changes.  The shop will look different, thanks to some clever friends and a lot of planning.   The bread will mostly look the same.  It should all be on the shelf 1pm on week days.  Depending on who’s baking, it will be more burned or less burned!  The shop will stock equipment, ingredients and books that we love and use at Loaf.  The hours will be slightly altered.  The staff will rotate shifts, so you should get to know the bakers, as well as you know Tom and Nancy.  We’ll have two new faces for you to meet – Jordan (some of you might know from her good work with Stirchley Stores) and Martha, who are both joining the Loaf family!  But perhaps the biggest difference for you, will be LUNCH.

If you ever came to Brewhouse here at Loaf, you’ll be familiar with our ever-changing menus.  No two weeks were the same.  I think that’s the way we like it.  You can depend on us to make a tasty lunch.  But we plan on changing the menu daily to keep it as fresh and exciting for you, as it is for those preparing your food.

We’ll be keeping it simple, seasonal, affordable AND delicious.

So, think a couple of options every day.  Think stuffed croissants or daal, soups or stews, sandwiches or salads or sourdough pizza slices (you can bet sourdough pizza becomes a regular occurrence!).
Along with this, we’ll be serving up our regular brewed teas and coffees every day.

We’re all really excited to welcome you!

Sarah

P.s:
Lunches available Tuesday-Friday only from 12 noon.
We don’t have much space, so your lunches will be to go.
As ever, first come, first served!

Who’s Hungry?

From Saturday 26th, Loaf isn’t just a bakery and a cookery school – it’s also a shop.  As you’ve probably gathered, Stirchley Stores are leaving and Loaf is taking over the space.

wpid-IMG_20131115_141845.jpg

This means you’ll see some changes.  The shop will look different, thanks to some clever friends and a lot of planning.   The bread will mostly look the same.  It should all be on the shelf 1pm on week days.  Depending on who’s baking, it will be more burned or less burned!  The shop will stock equipment, ingredients and books that we love and use at Loaf.  The hours will be slightly altered.  The staff will rotate shifts, so you should get to know the bakers, as well as you know Tom and Nancy.  We’ll have two new faces for you to meet – Jordan (some of you might know from her good work with Stirchley Stores) and Martha, who are both joining the Loaf family!  But perhaps the biggest difference for you, will be LUNCH.

If you ever came to Brewhouse here at Loaf, you’ll be familiar with our ever-changing menus.  No two weeks were the same.  I think that’s the way we like it.  You can depend on us to make a tasty lunch.  But we plan on changing the menu daily to keep it as fresh and exciting for you, as it is for those preparing your food.

We’ll be keeping it simple, seasonal, affordable AND delicious.

So, think a couple of options every day.  Think stuffed croissants or daal, soups or stews, sandwiches or salads or sourdough pizza slices (you can bet sourdough pizza becomes a regular occurrence!).
Along with this, we’ll be serving up our regular brewed teas and coffees every day.

We’re all really excited to welcome you!

Sarah

P.s:
Lunches available Tuesday-Friday only from 12 noon.
We don’t have much space, so your lunches will be to go.
As ever, first come, first served!

The Guardian, Country Living Magazine & New Course Dates

At the beginning of March, we were pleased to be featured in the April edition of Country Living magazine, and again in the Guardian on Saturday 22nd March. Celebrating Loaf Cookery School in their Country in the City section, Country Living magazine featured our Earth Oven Building course – and we sold out on places for our end of May course straight away! The Guardian featured us in their ‘Do Something’ supplement, mentioning our bread subscriber scheme, and our no waste bread policy (see photos of articles below). So, we’ve seen an additional flurry of interest, which is fantastic – taking the word about Loaf further afield. With such amazing interest, we’ve had to add new course dates to keep up with the demand. Coming up we have:

NEW COURSE DATES 

The Earth- Oven Weekend is great for both garden, food and bushcraft enthusiasts, and definitely for those that don’t mind getting their hands dirty. No experience is needed, we’ll teach you everything – just a willingness to get stuck in. You can cook practically anything in a wood-fired oven, from bread and cakes to casseroles and pizza, all with that unique smoky taste. And there really is nothing quite like it.

To find out more and to book visit: Earth-Oven Building Weekend

Join Loaf and fish expert Lap-fai Lee for a hands-on evening learning the art and science of fish preparation and cookery. This three hour workshop aims to take the fear out of fish and give you the knowledge and skills to go home and start enjoying preparing fish in your own kitchen. It’s actually pretty quick, easy and fun when you know how! Related courses include our equally fantastic Seafood Two: Shellfish course, if you fancy taking your culinary skills that extra step.

To find out more and to book visit: Seafood One: Fish

Country Living March_April 2014

Country Living, April 2014. Photo courtesy Mike Satterthwaite

Guardian 22 March 2014

Guardian, 22 March 2014. Photo courtesy @Lauralarue

Loaf is Changing

Shop Changes

After a successful first year on Stirchley high street Loaf has outgrown the bakery and is expanding to keep up with increasing customer demand for delicious bread & cakes. Thank you to Stirchley Stores volunteers, our customers, bread bond holders, bread club members,  our landlords, Loaf directors and staff for making this success possible. At the end of April 2014 Loaf will be taking over the shop from Stirchley Stores in order to meet our growing customer demand. The new bakery shop will be run & managed 100% by Loaf staff.

20th-25th April 2014: Shop closes for refurbishment
End April 2014: New Loaf Bakery shop opens

——————————————————————————————————————————

The new Loaf Bakery shop will sell:

Our usual selection of delicious bread & cakes
Fresh takeaway lunches & hot drinks
Specialist cookery school equipment (e.g. preserving equipment)
A limited selection of specialist cookery ingredients (e.g. 00 pasta flour, yeast)

——————————————————————————————————————————

sourdough

A Special Thankyou

To Stirchley Stores volunteers for your hard work, passion & energy this year. You have brought the community together, &  proven that local people are really keen to see positive change on their high street & to see better access to healthy, affordable, & ethically sourced food. We wish you every success in moving forward with new options in the future and hope to see you continue as a co-operative in Stirchley.

Keep an eye on the Loaf website for future shop updates
www.loafonline.co.uk

Real Bread Campaign is under threat!

The Real Bread Campaign was set up to fight for better bread in Britain, but it’s future is under threat.

Co-founded in 2008 by Sustain and Andrew Whitley of Bread Matters, the Real Bread Campaign has recently lost it’s main provision of funding and is looking for support. Starting with a basic definition of Real Bread being made without the use of any artificial additives, “the Campaign seeks, finds and shares ways to make bread better for us, better for our communities and better for the planet”.

Real Bread Campaign website

Can you help save the Real Bread Campaign by becoming a member?

Loaf is a member of the Real Bread Campaign because, like so many of our customers, we believe the UK is loosing the traditional skills to bake tasty, wholesome, handmade bread leaving us with cheap, mass-produced additive-filled factory loaves. Not only are these loaves filled with chemicals and therefore unhealthy for us, but they are often transported long distances and therefore damaging to the environment. That’s why we started our community supported bakery to provide healthy, Real Bread to our local community, and through the loaf cookery School teach as many people as possible how to make Real Bread. As well as selling good food, we are also able to help other local people like us restore our local high street to the thriving community it once was.

Chris Young, the Real Bread Campaign co-ordinator says; “Until we secure new grant funding, the only money Sustain (the charity of which we are part) has to run the Campaign comes from membership fees and donations, so getting new members is more important than ever to ensure our survival”.

Bread Lovers

So Loaf is asking bread lovers like us to sign up as Real bread Campaign members and spread the word via Twitter (@RealBread) and Facebook (realbreadcampaign). As a member you’ll receive discounts on courses, a quarterly magazine, access to an online forum for tips and advice on bread making, and more. You can also make a one off donation here. Find our how more on the real bread Campaign website: www.sustainweb.org/realbread

Read Loaf’s Real Food Manifesto to find out why we do what we do.